Tackling the double bind, impostor syndrome and perfectionism

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learn how to overcome 3 things that hold high performers back in the corporate world

Does this sound familiar?

  • You know how to take charge and get things done, but feel like others don’t like it when you step into your power. Maybe you when you ask for what you want, you experience backlash. Or, you feel like people seem to like you, but don’t always take you or your ideas seriously.

  • You don’t feel like “being yourself” at work is enough, but putting on a mask is exhausting – and you wonder what it really means to be yourself anyway. 

  • You are a perfectionist. For example, you ace four assignments but beat yourself up about the fifth one that didn’t go so well. Or, you see a typo in an otherwise impeccable document you sent out and your heart sinks. Or perhaps you procrastinate - not because you’re lazy, but because you’re afraid what you start won’t be perfect.

  • Maybe you’re not a perfectionist, but your boss is a perfectionist + you don’t know how to deal with that.

  • You want to please people even when those “people” haven’t set the bar so high.

  • Some teammates don’t measure up to your standards. This is frustrating and you’re losing your patience…and sometimes your temper.

  • When emailing very important people, you tend to read the email too many times and feel paralysed – how can it be so scary to hit “send”?

  • Work piles up because of your procrasination tendencies – this weighs you down.

  • Even though you know you need a break, sometimes you can’t tear yourself away from your desk. 

  • You’ve consistently excelled, but deep down you feel like you’re not good enough. You worry that you’ll be “found out”. Plus, you feel like others just naturally know more than you do.

  • You put a lot of pressure on yourself to perform at the highest level. For example, you worry about saying the wrong thing in a presentation.   

  • You know you should stay in your own lane, but you can’t help comparing yourself to others at work or on social media - this makes you feel bad.

  • You feel like you need to figure things out yourself since you don’t like asking for help.

  • Criticism, mistakes & failure really get to you– if only you had a duck’s back!

  • You would love to feel more joyful at work, but that feels miles away.

Why I’m The Right Speaker for You

  • I’m a lawyer at a big bank so I get the pressure you are under.

  • I’m a woman in law so I have first-hand experience of the double bind – and have investigated whether it is actually “a thing” and what to do about it.

  • I’m an intermittent perfectionist and I’ve worked with quite a few of them.

  • I understand that excellence and precision matter but also know that perfectionism can come at a high price.

  • I’m a recovering people pleaser so I’ve thought long and hard about how to manage those thoughts, feelings and behaviours - we teach best what we need to learn!

  • I will help you tap into your own power and wisdom to light up your own pathway to success.

What you’ll learn in this session:

While many corporate cultures are evolving to embrace models of leadership that integrate both “feminine” and “masculine” strengths, the fact remains that gender bias, whether conscious or unconscious, is not yet a thing of the past. Research confirms that women often face a “double bind” – where a woman is perceived as likeable or successful, but not both. If a woman acts against stereotype and negotiates for higher pay, self-promotes, or fails to constantly collaborate, she may be judged as unpleasant.

From an individual perspective, many high-achievers struggle with imposter syndrome and perfectionism. Failing to internalise accomplishments, a reluctance to speak up, together with a tendency to “people please”, can sabotage career advancement.

While recognising that people do not need to be fixed to fit into outmoded, command-and- control leadership models, this session offers practical strategies that women and men can apply to overcome the double-bind, imposter syndrome and perfectionism. Ultimately, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to unleash their full potential and be more effective and fulfilled at work.

By the end of this workshop, you will have…

  • A clear understanding of what the “double bind” is and 9 strategies to address it.

  • 3 keys to ask for what you want…. without experiencing backlash.

  • A strategy to ensure you are seen, heard and valued at work.

  • A clear understanding of the distinctions between perfectionism, precision and excellence.

  • 5 ways to stop perfectionist thinking (you are not your typo!)) and change perfectionist behaviours.

  • A deeper understanding of what “people pleasing” means and a practical strategy to stop doing it without disappointing the higher-ups.

  • 2 techniques to stop procrastination caused by perfectionism.

  • An understanding of what the impostor syndrome is and what it isn’t (hint: it’s not a syndrome!). Plus, you will learn about the 6 “protective behaviours” we engage in when we feel like an impostor at work and will discover 9 simple-to-use strategies to manage impostor feelings.

  • Insight into the relationship between confidence and competence.

  • Tips on how to not get disproportionately upset by criticism.

How this session works:

  • 3-hour session teaching it all at once OR three 60-minute sessions

  • Hosted live or virtually over Zoom (up to 200 attendees)

  • Recording permitted for time-limited use

    Pricing upon request

Request Stephanie to Speak

Fill out the form and I’ll be in touch with you to book a complimentary consult call.